ECE Primus Plane No.711 Review By: I.Ball
Category: Specialist Planes
Extra Info: What is a Smoothing Plane? Smoothing Plane Videos
Manufacturer: ECE
Plane Type: Wooden - Smoother
Model No: Primus - 711
The ECE Primus plane number 711 is a wooden smoothing plane from the
ECE plane range. ECE, manufactured by E.C. Emmerich of Germany, are
well known for their range of modern wood planes many of which are
based on traditional designs or traditional design ideas.
The ECE Primus plane 711 is also referred to as the ECE Primus Reform
plane 711 and the ECE Improved Primus plane 711.
The 711 ECE Primus Reform plane is effectively what previously was classed
as a transitional plane; it combines elements of a traditional wooden
plane with elements of a traditional iron plane.
With the ECE 711, the plane has the front horned European style wooden smoothing
plane combined with a plane blade, cap iron, and blade adjusting mechanism similar'ish
in style to some traditional iron planes.
The plane body and front horn are made with selected quarter sawn fruitwood (usually cherry)
and the sole is made with the very hard-wearing lignum vitae.
The combing effect of the dark wood of the lignum sole comb jointed to the lighter
wood of the cherry body gives a great contrasting look and the look of a plane which
has been well made with a thought of longevity of life.
The lignum sole is slightly self-lubricating as lignum is quite an oily wood however
applying a wax or similar oily finish to the sole from time-to-time may help maintain
a smooth planing action.
Thought has been given to the comfort of handling this plane with the plane body
having various curves, rounded edges and depressions along with the large front
curvaceous horn which allows you to get some really good leverage.
The ECE Primus Reform plane is made in a left-hand and right-hand version with the
difference being whether the front horn sits slightly to the left or right.
The 48mm (1 7/8 inch) wide plane blade made from German tool steel holds a good
edge. The blade lies on a 50 degree bed which is also referred to as the 'York pitch'.
The 50 degree York pitch is a slightly steeper angle than most typical iron smoothing
planes such as the Stanley 4 and Record 04 planes which have a bed of 45 degrees.
The 50 degree York pitch is the angle which many old British infill planes such
as the
Norris smoothing planes
had their bed set at. The higher angle bed allows the plane to produce a great
cut on more difficult grain.
The plane is equipped with the 'Primus' adjustment system which is designed to not
allow any freewheeling of the screw and no back sliding of the iron; a system which
has been unique to ECE.
The blade depth is adjusted with the use of the black knob at the rear of the plane.
Turning the knob clockwise slightly creates a thicker shaving, turning the knob
counter clockwise slightly creates a thinner shaving.
The ECE 711 has an adjustable mouth which is controlled with the screw found on
the top of the plane just before the front horn. The adjustable mouth allows the
plane mouth to be set from a fine mouth for fine work through to a wide open mouth
for coarse work. Generally a fine mouth is preferable as it helps prevent tear out.
The plane has no wedge which as a result allows the shaving to flow freely.
Being made from wood, the improved ECE 711 plane has some advantages over metal
planes.
These advantages include it is easier to flatten the sole should it need
doing, the wood absorbs a certain amount of vibrations to help reduce/prevent
chatter, the wooden parts won't rust and if dropped the plane shouldn't
suffer the devastating damage that a metal plane might, other than possibly if it
were to land on the front horn; the front horn is quite substantial so I would imagine
it would have to take quite a tumble to substantially damage this.
The plane is finished in a varnish to help protect the plane. If the varnish look
is not preferable then it can be dulled by running some coarse wire wool over it.
The plane has the green circular ECE badge inlaid on top of the plane next to the
front horn.
ECE have been making tools since 1852 when the company was first formed by
Friedrich-Wilhelm Emmerich. Since then there have many generations of the family
which have continued the ECE plane making who have had factories both in Germany
and England during this time.
The Primus adjustment system was first developed around 1950.
* Important: please refer to the 'disclaimer' at the foot of this review.
* Wearing safety clothing and eye protection is usually a good idea to help protect against injury.
- The blade(s)/cutter(s) is very sharp, take suitable precautions when using/handling/storing
the plane/cutter(s) to prevent injury.
- Failure to loosen parts when making adjustments to the plane can result in damage
to the plane such as cross-threading screw threads. Never force a part to move.
- Overtightening parts can cause damage to the plane and the plane threads.
Body:
selected quarter sawn fruitwood (usually cherry)
Sole:
lignum vitae
Plane finish:
varnish
Construction Origin:
Germany
Length:
8 7/8 inch
Width:
mm ( inch)
Weight:
1.30 kg (3 lb)
Blade Bed:
50 degrees
ECE Primus Reform Plane Blade / Cutter
Cutter: German tool steel
Cutter Width: 48mm (1 7/8 inch)
? - current day
ECE Primus Reform plane 711
ECE Improved Primus plane 711
....
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- ECE
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safety notices / cautions and similar notices as the manufacturer's instructions
may contain important information on safety, personal safety and the good health of your tool,
something to which this review's scope does not guarantee to extend to.
(ii) This review may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given
in good faith however any such information should not be solely relied upon and should not be seen
as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines.
Refer to disclaimer note (i) for information on safety, as well as the
good health of your tool.
In addition refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices
for the good health of your tool and property.
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be fully relied upon, please be aware the details may also become out of date due to manufacturer
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